5o Big Boy

[Professor T]

“Big Boy”
Paul R.’s place in Pinckneyville, MS
Don’s Rifle Kill # 4
Don’s 5th Deer Kill

November 29, 2000 (24 years, 364 days after my first racked buck)
Center of Paul’s land, Pinckneyville, MS
Midday Hunt
8 point
3.5 yo; 195 lbs.
Remington model 700 BDL .243 caliper

This year was the first year that I hunted a particular buck. I had no idea what he looked like as this was before trail cameras became widely used. I had gone exploring on Paul’s place and found where there was a deer (or several) tearing up the young pine trees. I had built a deer stand (Lean-to) and Vicki and I went out and put up the stand. There was pine tree torn up within 10 yards of the stand.

I decided not to shoot just anything there. It would have to be a buck. MS was on 4 point or better and I was still in the beginning of my learning process. It was the seventh hunt on that stand that I had my chance. I had already seen does, spikes, and a half rack buck on previous hunts. I was making an all day hunt in the light on and off rain. I heard something behind me and turned to see a buck hooking the tree branches. I adjusted my position several times trying to face the deer which was almost directly behind me. The stand was in the fork of a very large live oak tree.

Before I was in position I saw two more large bucks standing together about 20 yards from the original one. I could see antlers on all three but due to the rain and wearing glasses I could not tell which was the largest of the three. The angle of the other two bucks was much more difficult than the original one. When the opportunity came for the first buck I had a small hole in the brush to put the bullet through. The shot was good and the buck fell among some tree tops and kicked for a few seconds and died. I did not see where the other bucks ran as my eyes were on the tree tops making sure my buck was down for good.

I had to cross a small gulley to get to the buck so I didn’t get all the way to him on the first attempt. I also knew I couldn’t get him out by myself so I went to a neighbor’s camp and told him. He called Doug Bordelon and He brought his 4 wheeler to get the buck out. Getting that buck out was no small task but between the three of us we got him loaded and brought to my truck. I went to Paul’s house again and he was not home. After being soaked with the rain I went to the Exxon Station on Hwy 61 in St. Francisville to have him caped and processed. We weighed the buck at 195 lbs. After this I brought him to Jay Womack near Jackson, LA to have him mounted.

All that season I had been praying for an 8 point or better buck. My prayers were answered to a Tee with a very nice 8 point.